2019 Bajaj Dominar 400 will get a raft of new updates to improve riding comfort and safety; powertrain could see performance increase as well
Bajaj Auto hiked prices of the Dominar 400 for the fourth time this year just a week ago. This was partly down to the less than commendable demand the company was expecting from the flagship naked sports cruiser and the rising inputs costs. Despite the price increase, it is still more affordable than some of its competitors who do not even offer the same equipment level.
The Pune-based manufacturer launched the D400 in mid-December 2016 and registered good initial sales response. But, it could not lure in the customers from entry-level Royal Enfield 350 models that were targetted at. In the midst of facing consistent drop in sales, from averaging 2,500 units to less than 2,000, Bajaj has been preparing a comprehensive facelift.
The 2019 Bajaj Dominar has been spotted testing repeatedly in the outskirts of Pune over the last couple of months. Courtesy of a YouTuber VishMoto, the test mule has again been caught on camera and this time in the old Pune-Mumbai highway. The updated model will have a number of changes to boast about as Bajaj wants to make it more performance rich in its new avatar.
It will be the first Bajaj motorcycle to get USD (Upside Down) forks ditching the 43 mm telescopic front forks while the multi-step adjustable monoshock rear won’t likely see any changes – barring a probable setup tweak. Due to the stringent safety regulations, the 2019 Dominar 400 will come equipped with dual-channel ABS as standard fitment. It could lead to only a single variant offering in the facelift.
In addition, Bajaj appears to be making the ride more comfortable as the handlebar has become taller while the seat layout is longer for increased pillion comfort. Combined with the arrival of USD forks and changes for the ease of long riding, we can expect the upcoming Dominar 400 to set new benchmark in its price point for a power cruiser.
The exhaust system is now a double barrel unit with black finish as the catalytic converter has been moved to the sides from underneath the engine and it could enable more ground clearance. The 373 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled fuel-injected powertrain, also found in Duke 390, will likely be updated to meet BSVI norms coming into effect by April 2020.
Thus, do not expect the facelifted Dominar to arrive anytime soon as the launch timeframe could be around early 2019. The engine produces maximum power of 35 PS at 8,000 rpm and 35 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. It is connected to a six-speed transmission. There have also been reports that Bajaj could opt for DOHC (Double Overhead Cam) setup as in the Duke.
The radiator is expected to get a larger radiator for better cooling mainly in jammed-up traffic conditions while the engine’s performance outputs may also see a slight hike with the addition of ride-by-wire throttle technology as the Duke 390. Other highlighting new features possible are an updated digital instrument cluster and new colour choices.
Prices currently stand at Rs. 1.49 lakh for non ABS and Rs. 1.63 lakh for ABS variant (ex-showroom). Expect a hike of around Rs. 15,000 in the facelifted version over the top-spec model.